Public transport to be prioritised in Yangon urban development plan

Passengers are getting onto a circular train at a station in Yangon, on 19 November 2016.

Changes are planned on the ground, on the water and on the rails.
To improve public transport in Yangon, approximately eight public bus companies will be established, with Public Transport Control Center and Traffic Control Center to oversee the bus system. In addition, the circular railway system is will be upgraded. Also, bidding for the chance to operate water taxis will open soon.
Those issues are part of a master plan for Yangon that will be implemented over the next 50 years and result in a peaceful, pleasant commercial city, said U Phyo Min Thein, the chief minister of Yangon Region, who recently gave an update on the plans for Yangon’s future.
U Phyo Min Thein said efficient public transport is essential to overall development of Yangon. A reliable, convenient bus system will help workers get to their jobs, reduce the number of cars on the road, help alleviate Yangon’s well-known traffic problems and boost tourism.
Improving tourism will be aided by projects planned for the two commercial corridors in Yangon, the chief minister said. Efforts are being made to encourage development in the Thilawa-Yagnon-Hanthawady airport project area and Twantay, Kungyangon-Kawhmu-Hanthawady airport project area. Part of those efforts will be maintaining the cultural heritage of Yangon, which will hopefully result in attractions that draw tourists.
As Yangon grows and becomes more accessible through public transport, public places for taking a rest will be created in the ports, which will be systematically organized, the minister said.
“The reclamation of new satellite townships will be carried out to adapt to modern times. The regional government will draw up an urban development plan in cooperation with JICA, KOICA and experts from France and England. We will try to formulate the Greater Yangon Urban Development Plan”, he added.
Part of the plan has already come to fruition in the form of a new night market by the Yangon Region government that was opened earlier this week on Strand Road. The market is meant to ease congestion in the downtown area and relocate street vendors from the busiest roads in the commercial capital.
Moreover, efforts will be made to encourage drivers to park their cars in parking lots or garages. Some cars are found to be parked on streets the whole day until parking charges are collected. Part of this plan will be increased enforcement of parking regulations.